Kenosha County's Voice On Mental Illness

Support Groups ​Click here for the NAMI SUPPORT GROUP FLYERNAMI - Kenosha - CityOur next regular bimonthly support groups will be on Thursdays October 12 and 26, November 9 and December 14 and 28 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on the corner of 88th St and 39th Ave at 6PM. There will be three groups - one group for Family & Friends, and two groups for anyone coping with a mental illness (adults and adolescents). For more information call 262-652-3606 or email jrose23@wi.rr.com.NAMI - Kenosha - County Family & Friends Support Group will be held at the Kenosha County Center Building monthly on the second Thursday. The next support group is Thursday October 12, November 9, and December 14 from 9 am - 10:30 am.

For Spanish speaking folks in crisis situation, please call NAMI National Hotline @ 800-950-6264 to speak with someone in Spanish.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS​Do you have a passion for volunteering, supporting social causes, and fostering education and awareness in the Kenosha County community? Have you or a loved one experienced mental illness and want to make an impact as part of ongoing recovery? The NAMI Kenosha County Board is seeking additional members to help with supporting our mission to improve the quality of life through education, support, and advocacy. We promote recovery and fight stigma associated with mental illness.Are you curious and interested? Submit an application here!

Help NAMI Wisconsin fight the holiday blues this year!

For many, the holidays are a time filled with love, family, food​,​and fond memories. But for some, the holidays are associated with feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness,​ and unpleasant memories.

LIVE WEBINAR with Zack McDermott, author of Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother's Love Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - 09:00 to 10:00 REGISTER HERE

​Gorilla and the Bird follows Zack’s (the Gorilla) fight to regain his sanity after a devastating psychotic break. Zack’s sudden illness took him on a harrowing journey including delusions of being filmed and receiving messages through the TV, running naked through cornfields, seeing the Virgin Mary, being arrested on a subway platform and being committed to the Bellevue Hospital. Prior to his illness, Zack had a job as a highly successful public defender for The Legal Aid Society of New York (Deadline.com). “Bipolar Disorder is the best thing that ever happened to me. By sharing my experience I've been able to hear the experiences of so many others who have a mental illness or have a loved one who has a mental illness. Today, I'd like to share my story with you. I will also discuss some practical issues, such as tips if a loved one finds themselves in a mental health crisis. Lastly, I will share my message of accepting yourself and hope.” - Zack McDermott Zack McDermott has worked as a public defender for the Legal Aid Society of New York. His work has appeared on This American Life, Morning Edition, and Gawker, among other places. Originally from Wichita, he now lives in New York.

Teen Depression: What Families And Schools Can Do For Reluctant TeensWednesday, December 13, 2017 - 09:00 to 10:00 FREE WEBINARTeens may be withdrawn, irritable, or self-harming. Parents and school personnel are left wondering what is normal and what is not, how to identify what is going on, and how to engage a reluctant teen. Dr. Rappaport, an associate professor of psychiatry with over twenty years experience working with teens and consulting to schools will provide practical tips and key information for those navigating these challenges. Learn more HERE.Register HERE.Dr. Nancy Rappaport is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 25 years' experience working with teens, parents and schools. Dr. Rappaport is a part-time Associate Professor of Psychiatry with Harvard Medical School where she teaches undergraduates, medical students, and residents about child development. She is the co-author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students.

This is a free 12-week class for family members who are caring for or living with someone with mental illness.Next class begins January 9, 2018. To enroll visit the Family To Family page.SEATS ARE LIMITED

NAMI Wisconsin Action Alert! Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace Begins Tomorrow! Your Health Is Your Right!Did you know that tomorrow is the first day of open enrollment for the health insurance Marketplace? If you purchased health insurance from the Marketplace last year, you should be receiving a renewal letter from your insurance company detailing your plan for next year. This letter will outline any changes to your premium, deductible or co-pay. Regardless of changes, it's smart to shop around and to update your information onHealthcare.govto see if you are eligible for a lower premium or a tax credit to help you afford your monthly payments. See below for everything you need to know to get prepared to enroll! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.Questions? Contactcrystal@namiwisconsin.org

NAMI's Ask the Doctor Webinar on Reversing Health Disparities in People with Serious Mental Illness: The Role of Peers and TechnologyEvent Date & Time: Thursday 16 November 2017, 05:00 PM - 06:00 PMJoin us to learn about current research on the causes of and potential solutions to one of our nation’s greatest health disparities. People with serious mental illness (4-6% of the U.S. population) have a life expectancy 11-30 years shorter than that of the general population. This group has disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity and tobacco use, which contribute to earlier death.This webinar will cover approaches to improving health outcomes and reducing early mortality risk. We’ll discuss prevention and illness self-management, including what roles peers and technology play.Registration space is limited and expected to fill quickly! To register, click: https://communique.adobeconnect.com/askthedoc_bartels/event/registration.htmlSee full event details at: https://communique.adobeconnect.com/askthedoc_bartels/event/event_info.htmlView past recordings of Ask the Doctorat NAMI's website. For questions or more information, contact us at:Email:info@nami.orgPhone: 703-524-7600

The Top Co-Occurring Medical Conditions Related To Bipolar DisorderIt’s known that people with bipolar disorder have higher rates of medical conditions than the general population, so attending to these co-occurring illnesses is an essential part of managing bipolar. Here are several medical conditions more common with bipolar. CLICK HERE.

International Bipolar Foundation:Annual High School Essay Contest

Your chance to win$1,000 by researching and writing about a notable figure with bipolar disorder! Join us incombating stigma and giving hope to those in need!1st Place: $1,000 | 2nd Place: $500 | 3rd Place: $250

Topic: Notable Figures with Bipolar DisorderResearch a notable figure, past or present, with bipolar disorder and tell us how the illness affected their life, encouraged or hindered their success, and what lessons we can take away from their lived experience.In 500-1,000 words, explain the research you did on the individual. Your notable figure can come from any walk of life, geographical location, or a positive or negative place in history. Please include your own personal insight into the lessons to be learned by the life of your notable figure.

House Legislation To Cut SSI BenefitsThis week, the House is set to vote on HR 2792, the Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act.

This bill could deprive thousands of people of the SSI benefits they depend on to meet basic needs.This loss of SSI eligibility would be especially devastating in the many states where it will result in people with mental illness also losing eligibility for Medicaid and access to treatment. Click to learn more.

It’s way too close. As early as next Wednesday, the Graham-Cassidy bill (also referred to as Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson bill) is expected to come up for a vote --and the vote will be close.If this bill passes, children and adults with mental illness will get fewer services—and millions will lose their coverage altogether. We need more mental health care, not less, but the Graham-Cassidy bill will move us in the wrong direction.It will take 3 NO votes from Republican senators (all Democratic and Independent senators are expected to vote no) to stop the Graham-Cassidy bill. In a major shakeup today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) announced that he cannot support the bill, which puts us one step closer to defeating this harmful bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has also said he’ll vote no because the bill doesn’t go far enough to repeal the Affordable Care Act. However, we need at least one more Republican “no” vote to stop the bill from passing.After the Senate vote, we hope to celebrate the defeat of this bad bill. Or, we’ll be reaching out to NAMI advocates to act quickly and urge their House members to protect their constituents with mental illnessby voting no.​

2017 University of Wisconsin-Parkside Diversity Award recipient KELLY ANDRICHIKCongratulations to one of our NAMI Kenosha County Board Members - Kelly Adrichik - for being this years recipient of the UW Parkside Diversity Award!Kelly has been a police officer representing UW Parkside in the community for 19 years.She is a board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Vice Chair of the Kenosha County Sexual Assault Response Team, a member of the Kenosha County Human Trafficking Task Force, and a core member of the Aurora Better Together Grant on campus.She integrates all of these areas and topics into training and events for faculty, staff, and students, creating a two-way street between the campus and community organizations.

REGISTRATION OPEN: NAMI Homefront classes online - fall 2017 sessions - FREENAMI Homefront is a free, six-session class for family, friends and significant others of Military Service Members and Veterans. The class helps families comprehend what the Military Service Member/ Veteran is experiencing related to trauma, combat stress, civilian life, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Topics covered include mental health, communication, handling crises, treatment and recovery. See flyer for registration information.nami_homefront_online_flyer_q4_final.pdf

This Artist Battles Depression (And Metro Delays) With Roller Coaster DoodlesMid-drawing, Brody Rose fixated on an image in the Washington Post Express, trapped in the trance of creating. He did not want to leave the Metro. “I’m probably the only person on the train who doesn’t have a problem when there’s a delay,” he says.An associate creative director at HDZG, Rose started drawing in 2010 to fight the nervous knots in his stomach that came when he began the high-pressure creative job. He was diagnosed with depression in 2000, and he wanted to do something productive on his 30-minute commute from Dupont to Rockville.“When you’re in a depression, everything is sort of glossed over,” he said. “There’s no spark that kind of ignites the creativity.”So Rose embraced a new puzzle: Fitting a roller coaster into an image from the Washington Post Express. ​ Click here for the full article.

Crisis Intervention Partner TrainingThis CIP training is a 2-day educational class for non-law enforcement personnel. CIP training is encouraged for anyone who works with individuals with a mental illness, i.e. social workers, teachers, emergency room staff, security personnel, correctional officers and group home staff.

Following the success of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, which involved 40 hours of mental health training to law enforcement officers, Crisis Intervention Partner (CIP) training provides participants with the skills to handle situations in which individuals with mental illness are in, or near, crisis. Too often, mental health crisis are made worse for all parties involved due to the lack of awareness, understanding, and an appropriate response.Click here for more information and to register.WHEN: November 20th, and 21st, 2017 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. WHERE: GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Kenosha, WI Room T-127

NAMI Wisconsin is seeking stories of recovery or personal stories that we can use and share at our state office. We are looking for stories of people who thru your affiliate, your support group, your classes, or presentations have been helped. We feel the strongest way for us to teach others about Mental Illness, to reduce stigma and to increase awareness is thru personal stories. If you can think of a member that would be a good person to share their story please send their name to Jamie our Public Relations Director jamie@namiwisconsin.org she will contact them for an interview them or you can email their story to Jamie. ​

Help Provide Students with Mental Health Resources

NAMI is committed to helping families prepare for conversations that matter surrounding mental health and to improving options for students and individuals who need support.

For some students, experiencing the first signs of a mental health condition can be scary and confusing. Discussing what they are going through with others is an important first step to getting help.But lack of awareness and resources often push students facing such challenges out of school altogether. Approximately 35% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of high school, while 64% will drop out of college.

Knowing how to talk about mental illness and how to find support is vital. Help NAMI prepare students and their families to start the conversation.Donate today.​

We are happy to announce our NAMI WI Leadership Summit for 2017. The date is November 4th in Madison at the American Family Insurance Training Building,6000 American Parkway, Madison WI. Click here for more information.

NAMI Wisconsin Affiliates, I am presenting at our 2017 Leadership Summit Conference (Sat, Nov 4 | Madison, WI) on how to reach people through NAMI (ex. memberships, Board, people in need of our services, etc.).Thus, I am reaching out to YOU as I gather data and prepare my presentation/handout:

How have you found success with this?

Have you heard of any other methods you'd like to share?

Do you have any feedback/suggestions on this topic, in general?

Feel free to respond directly to this email if you have any thoughts (even if they are real quick and short)!I'm open to any and all ideas! If you'd like to send me your feedback, please do so by Fri, Oct 13, if possible!

New Residential Program for Teens with Dual Diagnosis Open at Rogers!Adolescents age 12 to 17 with the dual diagnoses of mental health and substance use disorders now have a new evidence-based option in care with the opening of the Rogers Adolescent Recovery Program in West Allis, Wisconsin!

Given the dramatic growth in young people requiring treatment, Rogers has added this residential level of care to a growing continuum of addiction and dual diagnosis services for adults and adolescents. The Adolescent Recovery Program launches with eight beds, with plans to expand to serve 12 patients at a time. In this intensive program, patients will engage in cognitive behavioral therapy and related therapies, including behavioral activation and dialectical behavior therapy skill building. Experiential therapy as well as addiction education are also strong components of individualized treatment plans that include individual, group and family therapy and education.

Patients entering the program on the first floor ofRogers Memorial Hospital–West Alliswill find a new, home-like setting in a fully renovated section of the facility which includes community space, four semi-private bedrooms and a group room. Board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist Azhar Yunus, MD, an addiction medicine specialist, and Lucas Grancorvitz, clinical services manager, lead a team of professionals including a physician, psychologist, master’s prepared therapist, therapeutic specialist, experiential therapist, substance abuse counselor, nurse, dietitian and residential counselors. Tour theAdolescent Recovery Program

Certified Peer Specialist Training in Racine, Kenosha and Walworth CountiesA Certified Peer Specialist is a person who has not only lived the experience of mental illness and/or substance use disorder but also has had formal training in the peer specialist model of mental health and/or substance use disorder supports. They use their unique set of recovery experiences in combination with solid skills training to support peers who have mental illness and/or substance use disorder.Click here to learn more and apply for the program.

Narcan Spray now available in Kenosha CountyThe Kenosha County Narcan distribution initiative will now feature Narcan Nasal Spray. Click here to learn more.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICA New Treatment For Mental Illness​FRIDAY, June 9, at 9PM CST.

NAMI medical director Ken Duckworth will be interviewed by host Ted Danson on the National Geographic’s cable channel.The interview will be on an episode of the EXPLORER series, titled “New Treatment for Mental Illness.”

​Kenosha City and County commit 1.5 MM to Mental Health Care Facility!The Gateway Mortgage building will be renovated by the city and the county to become an 18 bed adult mental health emergency crisis facility when it opens in 2018. Click here for the full story.

What Does the New Congress and New Presidency Mean for People with Mental Illness and Their FamiliesPresentation to NAMI Kenosha CountyJanuary 27, 2017Andrew SperlingDirector of Legislative AdvocacyNAMI Nationalasperling@nami.orgClick here for the full story.​TV Spots:​The program will air Fridays at 4pm and Sundays at 2pm on channel 14 Kenosha Community Media for the month of February.​